In this special Year in Review episode of Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham sits down with leaders from the Minnesota Commanders Task Force (CTF) — a coalition of congressionally chartered veterans service organizations working together on legislative priorities and support for Minnesota’s veterans.
The episode features discussions with CTF Chair Stewart Mednick (Jewish War Veterans of Minnesota), Vice Chair John Walker (Disabled American Veterans), Willie Pargo (Military Order of the Purple Heart), Barry Henriksen (Veterans of Foreign Wars), Andrew McCormick (Marine Corps League), Linda Dvorak (American Legion), and Todd Kemery (Minnesota Paralyzed Veterans of America).
Key Highlights from 2025
- CTF Leadership and Advocacy — Stewart Mednick reflects on his new role as Chair (elected in June 2025), emphasizing collaboration on issues like property tax credits for Gold Star families, reduced hunting/fishing licenses for veterans, and veteran organization license plates. The group prepares for Veterans Day on the Hill, connecting with state and federal legislators.
- Jewish War Veterans → Focused on rebuilding relationships between Jewish and veteran communities, providing direct assistance to veterans in need.
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV) → Celebrated their 100-year centennial, including a time capsule burial and ongoing transportation programs. Expanded efforts to combat food insecurity in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Military Order of the Purple Heart → Worked on membership growth despite challenges with an aging population; offered affiliate memberships for supporters.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) → Achieved “All American” status for meeting membership and program goals; highlighted community impact through donations to schools, sports, and food shelves.
- Marine Corps League → Supported hundreds of color guards, funerals, scholarships, and toy drives (providing toys for over 10,000 families); raised funds for children’s hospitals.
- American Legion → Hosted blood drives, disabled veteran hunts, and collected thousands of items for stand-down events.
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Paralyzed Veterans of America → Restarted in-person programs at the VA Spinal Cord Injury Center and maintained community visibility.
Looking ahead to 2026
Commanders Task Force leaders are optimistic about growing membership, expanding community outreach and legislative advocacy, and hosting key events like the VFW’s Voice of Democracy program, Marine Corps League toy drives, and American Legion celebrations for its 107th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary. The episode ends with heartfelt holiday messages emphasizing buddy checks, support for isolated veterans, and remembrance of active-duty members and fallen heroes.
This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we host our annual Minneapolis VA Health Care System 2025 year in review.
- Director Patrick Kelly – Minneapolis VA Health Care System
- Associate Director Amy Archer – Minneapolis VA Health Care System
- Associate Director Sue Ricker – Minneapolis VA Health Care System
This week we kick off our annual series of Year-in-Review shows with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. In a full-hour conversation, the Commissioner, Brad Lindsey walks us through the major accomplishments of 2025 and lays out priorities for 2026, including:
- Three new State Veterans Homes now open and serving residents in Preston, Montevideo, and Bemidji
- Minnesota reaching functional zero on veteran homelessness in nine of ten continuums of care (only Ramsey County remains)
- Community Health Navigators deployed to hospitals statewide as part of expanded suicide-prevention efforts
- Launch of a new veteran food-insecurity program in partnership with Disabled American Veterans and the Minnesota Veterans Food Pantry
- Continued aggressive hiring and in-house training for healthcare staff at all eight veterans homes. Click here to learn more
- The official State Veterans Day ceremony now rotating to different regions of Minnesota each year
The 34th will screen returning U.S. personnel and equipment for prohibited items and agricultural contraband across more than ten dispersed sites throughout the CENTCOM region — a unique mission that puts small teams of Minnesota Guard MPs in charge of critical checkpoints as troops and gear flow home. Guests include:
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Captain Brett Tuberville – Minnesota National Guard
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First Sergeant Jacob Barker – Minnesota National Guard
This week, Twin Cities U.S. Navy recruiters share real stories from submarines and carriers — plus how Minnesotans can join today. Then, hear how the Minnesota National Guard teams up with the Vikings, Twins, Wild, Wolves, and local communities to honor service members. Guests include:
- Lt. John Gillotte – United States Navy
- Counselor 1st Class Anthony Nemo – United States Navy
- Cpt. Kristin Ohrt – Minnesota National Guard
This week, we meet members of the Sons of the American Legion Detachment of Minnesota to hear about their annual disabled veterans deer hunt and fall turkey hunt held at Legionville, plus we sit down with a Tribal Veteran Service Officer supervisor to learn how the program serves Native veterans across all 11 tribal nations in Minnesota. Guests include:
- Chuck Stoney – Sons of the American Legion, Detachment of Minnesota
- Steve Bilderback – Sons of the American Legion, Detachment of Minnesota
- James Randsdell – Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Click here to find out more about the John Zgoda Disabled Veteran Deer Hunt
This week, we meet members of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System’s Patient Advocate Team and learn that the Patient Advocacy Program is for all Veterans and their families who receive care at VA health care facilities. What can the patient advocate do? What are their limitations? And what do patients bring into the relationship when it comes to resolving an issue they may have in the country’s largest health care system. Guests include:
- Director Patrick Kelly – Minneapolis VA Health Care System
- Program Director Stephanie Bertucci – Minneapolis VA Health Care System
- Lead Patient Advocate Nikki Jackson – Minneapolis VA Health Care System
- Lead Patient Advocate Lori Clair – Minneapolis VA Health Care System
This week, discover how the Minnesota Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) bridges the gap between military service and civilian workplaces, ensuring Guard and Reserve members keep their jobs while serving our nation. Then, meet the team at Support the Troops MN and learn how they deliver rapid, 24-hour financial aid to Minnesota military heroes and their families facing crisis—paying rent, fixing cars, and restoring hope when it’s needed most. Guests include:
- COL (ret) Chad Sackett – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
- SGM (ret) Jon Solberg – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
- Nicole Giesie – Support the Troops MN
TOM LYONS, FOUNDER AND HOST
HOST DOUG WORTHAM
MINNESOTA SUPPORT OUR TROOPS LICENSE PLATE
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